I usually steer clear of politics on the South Bank. As one Hull councillor regularly puts it: "They're all a load of turnip-crunchers over there."
But the mud-slinging going on over Labour's would-be replacement for the retiring Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell has become compelling in recent weeks.
The party's decision to choose from an all-women shortlist has divided opinions, including those of Mr Mitchell himself.
He stirred a hornet's nest by claiming his party is being weakened by all-women shortlists.
He also suggested increasing numbers of women MPs will mean less focus on big ideas and issues at Westminster and more preoccupation with "local problems".
Ed Miliband's aide Anna Yearley then took to Twitter to deny a claim by Mr Mitchell that she had described Northerners as "backward" when choosing women candidates.
The MP's wife Linda McDougall has also joined in, describing how the "Labour sisterhood" had behaved "like trained guerilla fighters" to stitch up the selection process and make her hubby look ridiculous in the process.
Not to be outdone, Hull East MP Karl Turner then took to Twitter to have a pop at Ms McDougall for not mentioning the fact that she had campaigned strongly for one of the shortlisted contenders who failed to get picked.
Dehenna Davison, the Tory parliamentary challenger in Hull North, also got in touch to declare her opposition to all-women shortlists.
"Despite being told often that this proves I don't believe in equality, on the contrary, I argue that it shows a real belief in equality of opportunity and, with it, meritocracy – that the best person for the job should be chosen, regardless of gender, age, race or religion," she said.
Of course, her Labour opponent next year will be the current Hull North MP Diana Johnson, who herself was originally selected as a parliamentary candidate for the seat from an all-women shortlist.
But back to Mr Mitchell and his wife who, as professional broadcasters, know all about securing a headline or two.
Recently, I heard an interview in which she complained about being stitched up by a TV company after they had agreed to Mr Mitchell fronting a documentary on life in the high-rise flats in Orchard Park.
They thought it would be about housing, but Channel 4 decided to see if he could change a nappy and remember the price of a bag of tomatoes.
After that particular episode, I've little sympathy for them.
